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• genetics, genomics and molecular biology
• bioengineering/medical devices

• Medicine
• Surgery
• Sports and Exercise Medicine

• Orthopaedic surgery

Research in Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine is undertaken in a range of areas. Laboratory (biological and biomechanical), clinical and translational projects are being established in collaboration with other faculty members and departments of the College and partner institutes. Strong emphasis is placed on inter-disciplinary work with established scientists, engineers, imaging specialists and allied health professionals. In addition to ongoing work within Trinity College Dublin, additional programmes are being developed with outside institutes and sporting organisations to ensure the best possible level of care for all patients and athletes.

There is a particular interest in the role of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies within Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at Trinity College Dublin. Our research focuses on the investigation of biological augmentation of traditional surgical options for soft tissue injury as well as exploring novel treatment strategies for soft tissue, ligament, cartilage and meniscus injury. A National Cartilage Repair Centre is being established to facilitate sharing of the scientific expertise available at TCD, RCSI, AMBER (and other leading regenerative medicine centre?s in Ireland) with specialised clinical services. In addition to the traditional exploration of tissue engineered constructs using scaffolds, cells and other biological factors, there is considerable interest in the role of mechanobiology in the healing and repair process, with particular emphasis on how this relates to rehabilitation of tissues following surgical intervention.

Treatment of cartilage and meniscus injury remains one of the most significant challenges in orthopaedic sports medicine. In order to meet this challenge, Ireland?s first dedicated Cartilage Repair Centre has been developed in partnership between Trinity College Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , Sports Surgery Clinic, and affiliated clinical and research institutes.

The Cartilage Repair Centre brings together internationally trained surgeons, scientists, imaging and rehabilitation specialists to meet this challenge in a multidisciplinary fashion. Our team is dedicated to providing patients with the most advanced and effective treatments for cartilage and meniscus injury. Our research and clinical care is helping to shape the future of cartilage and meniscus repair and regeneration. Our patients and athletes are the beneficiaries of this effort.

Our investigations are aimed at developing new treatment options that use cells, biomaterials, or tissue engineering. We are focusing on solutions that will most likely emerge from ongoing attempts to recapitulate certain aspects of native cartilage development. The projects we design have a particular focus on translational activity, linking basic science to the patient in a multidisciplinary team.